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Overall, it was one of the best stories I have read in a long time. I never knew that a 291 page book could get me so invested as a reader to the point where I thought I was a character in th. Book 10: One Good Thing. And I haven't even mentioned its piercing treatment of race and prejudice. You surprised me on most every page. His love, Juliana, is murdered by her own father, along with her siblings, and leaves Sammy essentially alone in the world. Between this and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, I am a die-hard Saenz fan for life. His school is strict and the time period is full of strange twists and. twelve. I thought that I experienced heartbreak, I thought that I experienced real-life discrimination, I thought that I lost my family and friends. Its a riveting story about survival and hope, and it was beautiful in every way. To say I chose the most captivating book is definitely an understatement. But I didn`t like how all these bad things kept happening to Sammy. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood focuses mainly on Sammy, a boy growing in a barrio in New Mexico during the 1960s. Sammy ends up losing a lot in just a short time, but he also gains so much. The Hollywood where Sammy Santos lives is not one of glitz and glitter, but a barrio at the edge of a small New Mexico town. Chicano life in the 70s. It is a coming of age story set in a New Mexican barrio ironically named Hollywood. (FROM MY BLOG) Benjamin Alire Sáenz is a Mexican-American novelist, poet, and author of books for young children. Elena relates the story to Sammy, which endears Juliana … In the summer before his senior year begins, Sammy falls in love with Juliana, a girl whose tough veneer disguises a world of … 3 ways to use video flashcards to engage students and support learning He lives in a loving home with his father and little sister, as his mother died of cancer years ago. But overall, really loved it! From the traditions, to the music, to the discrimination faced in the day-to-day life, so this book automatically drew my attention because the culture of this book was in fact Mexican-American. MY TWO CENTS: Sáenz creates strong main and supporting characters long remembered after finishing the novel. I conclude that the publisher arbitrarily decides the category -- the author, at least Sáenz, doesn't sit down to write a "YA novel" or an "adult novel" in the sam. This is a story about true love through the change of oneself, and the environment around them. “The world wasn't all that good to her and she wanted to remind everyone around her, but mostly herself I think, that she was worth something, that the air was hers too, that the ground she walked on was as much hers as it was anybody else's.”, “Someone had named the barrio we lived in Hollywood. This was not an easy read, but the story is very powerful. But the writing! p. cm. Author Benjamin Alire Saenz should be in the pantheon of YA writers. (FROM MY BLOG) Benjamin Alire Sáenz is a Mexican-American novelist, poet, and author of books for young children. This book, however, is beautifully written and tells a story worth hearing. My friends who speak Spanish laugh at Spanish students "proper" Spanish). I never knew that a 291 page book could get me so invested as a reader to the point where I thought I was a character in the story. Reminded me so much of the "outsiders". The voice is fantastic, with a stylistic repetition I've never seen used before. Sammy and this friends—members of the 1969 high school graduating class—face a world of racism, dress codes, war in Vietnam and barrio violence. Sammy just wants to get through high school and leave Hollywood for college, but he has challenges throughout the book. In the summer before his senior year, Sammy falls in love with the beautiful, independent, and intensely vulnerable Juliana. I don't really know what to say about this book. Sammy's chronicle of his senior year is both a love story and a litany of loss, the tale of his love not only for Juliana but. And there really wasn`t a happy ending. But I didn`t like how all these bad things kept happening to Sammy. Sammy Santos, an introverted and introspective Mexican‐American teen, lives with his father and kid sister in the Hollywood barrio of Las Cruces, New Mexico in the late 1960’s. Written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz . He finds new friends and discovers new parts of him that lay hidden under years of concealed sentiments. At the end of this book, I found myself in tears, it felt as if I was living Sammy Santos life. Guilt, grief, shattered dreams and sadness too, but mostly regret, dealt with in the most poignant and heartrending fashion. A triumph of life over hopelessness and death, this novel is utterly appropriate both for mature teenagers, and the adults who love them. I'm not sure I've ever given a book 5 stars before, but this one is remarkable. This coming of age story captures the essence of growing up as Mexican-American teenager in the 1960’s and conveys the reality of dealing with issues such as sex, violence, drugs, racism, discrimination, sexuality, religion and death. It is a coming of age story set in a New Mexican barrio ironically named Hollywood. One of the books we have read this semester in Humanities is Sammy and Juliana, by Benjamin Alire Saenz. A LOT happens, probably too much for one novel, but with characters as vivid and real as these, it's hard to file any serious complaints. A LOT happens, probably too much for one novel, but with characters as vivid and real as these, it's hard to file any serious complaints. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood is the class novel we will be reading. Perfection. Sammy Santos has never known a life outside of the barrio of Hollywood, New Mexico. All I knew was that I have always had an interest in learning about the Mexican-American culture and everything that came along with it. After her death, Sammy must come to terms with her death which reminds him of his mother’s death. Start by marking “Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood” as Want to Read: Error rating book. That never, ever changes. Ah! Sammy is a member of the graduating class of 1969 from the high school in the poor barrio of Hollywood, New Mexico. Ugh, this book broke my heart a bit. The seventies are coming and a war is underway, but it seems miles away from his secluded little town. The writing is engaging, beautiful and heartbreaking. This Hollywood is a tough barrio at the edge of a small town in southern New Mexico. Sammy, an introverted and pensive teenager lives in the Hollywood barrio in New Mexico with his father and little sister. Loss. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood As a Chicano boy living in the unglamorous town of Hollywood, New Mexico, and a member of the graduating class of 1969, Sammy Santos faces the challenges of “gringo” racism, unpopular dress codes, the Vietnam War, barrio violence, and poverty. Sammy and juliana in hollywood Tuesday, March 30, 2010 . He is faced with even more hardships, as the year in 1969 as homophobia and racism are especially prevalent and some of his friends are being drafted into the Vietnam War. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood, how do I talk about you. Sammy's chronicle of his senior year is both a love story and a litany of loss, the tale of his love not only for Juliana but for their friends, a generation from a barrio: tough, innocent, humorous, and determined to survive. This Hollywood is a tough barrio at the edges of a small town in southern New Mexico. Probably the only novel I've ever read that has a twist BEGINNING instead of a twist ENDING, with one of the biggest shocks I've ever read in a book coming in the first 50 pages. Of course I loved Sammy, a very cool kid. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. He finds new friends and discovers new parts of him that lay hidden under years of concealed sentiments. To read our thoughts on the novel, see our book review. Sammy cultivates a relationship with Juliana during the summer before their senior year, though his father disapproves of Juliana as well as others of his wild friends. He loses friends to family violence, racial violence, homophobic violence, the Viet Nam war, and the violence of being young and in high school. And he is the only one of his friends to stay in Hollywood, when he was the one who really wanted to get out. It's a great portrayal of a group of Hispanic teenagers living in a barrio in New Mexico in the 1960s. Tragic. Sammy's life is hard; he is a realist, but hopeful. The novel begins with: “The first thing the dead do is lose their voices. I really loved this book. To see what your friends thought of this book, I'm not sure I've ever given a book 5 stars before, but this one is remarkable. Relatable characters with equally relatable plotlines. Blog. But when one event shakes his world, he finds himself facing the greatest loss he has ever faced, right next to the one of his mom. Before the start of his senior year, he falls in love with Juliana Rios. Beautiful. Maybe it was a joke, maybe it was a prayer.”, Jennifer De Leon Celebrates Trailblazing YA Literature. Sammy is growing up in a tough neighborhood, it gets even worse when his first love, Juliana is murdered by her own father. It's not quite what you craving currently. August 1st 2006 At first I thought it was going to be centered around a friendship or somewhat of a love story, but there was a twist to it and everything completely changed. A good student and an avid reader (his classmates nickname him "The Librarian"), he works hard for his dream of college. I am happy I gavel this another change because when I initially started it I felt it was a bot boring and almost decided to drop it. Alire broke me in this one. Probably the only novel I've ever read that has a twist BEGINNING instead of a twist ENDING, with one of the biggest shocks I've ever read in a book coming in the first 50 pages. I loved Sammy and all the characters in the story. The setting is a small barrio in Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1969. The Hollywood where Sammy Santos and Juliana Ríos live is not the one on the West Coast, the one with all the glitz and glitter. I loved this book. My only critique now that I've freshly put it down is that it would have been interesting to hear more about disc. His love, Juliana, is murdered by her own father, along with her siblings, and leaves Sammy essentially alone in the world. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Saenz, Benjamin Alire and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. Sammy Santos has never known a life outside of the barrio of Hollywood, New Mexico. The year is 1969 and Sammy and his fellow citizens of Hollywood attend Las Cruces High School where they face a world of racism, dress codes, the war in Vietnam and the everyday violence of their own barrio. In the summer before his senior year, Sammy falls in love with the beautiful, independent, and intensely vulnerable Juliana. I was given a different point of view that for me as a reader was truly easy to relate to. It is 1968 and America is in an upheaval which is reflected in the narrator Sammy Santos' senior year experience. It's a great portrayal of a group of Hispanic teenagers living in a barrio in New Mexico in the 1960s. CINCO PUNTOS PRESS Texas Ave. El Paso BOOK SUMMARY. He is best known to the general public as a writer of Young Adult fiction. At the end of this book, I found myself in tears, it felt as if I was living Sammy Santos life. Sammy Santos is a boy coming on his senior year. Saenz has created such authentic, sympathetic characters that you'll almost wish you were at La Cruces High with them. Some of those quotes and images are going to really stick with me. He hasn't found himself yet, but he is sure of some things. Sammy and Juliana's Hollywood is a New Mexico barrio, where Sammy loses more than his virginity and his girlfriend during his difficult 1969 senior year. On the fourth chapter, the narrator already talks about how Juliana dies, because her father murdered her. But they have their ways of making us listen. Last year our book group read Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood, and this past February we read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Hands down, absolutely one of the best books I have ever read! He has won many awards for his writing, and after reading Sammie and Juliana in Hollywood, I believe they are deserving. One of those I've read was marketed as adult fiction, and the other four as YA. I wasn't sure what to think when I started this but Sammy will forever linger with me and he is a character who has become a friend. Sammy summer was over and he had go back to school everything … Time goes on and Sammy and Juliana are now in a relationship but one day while waiting for her to arrive for their date Sammy starts to hear ambulance sirens. Posted by FATIMA MIRANDA at 10:06 AM 1 comment: Thursday, March 25, 2010. ten. Sammy and Juliana's Hollywood is a New Mexico barrio, where Sammy loses more than his virginity and his girlfriend during his difficult 1969 senior year. At times laugh out loud funny, at times wipe the tears away sad, but always tender, endearing, moving and insightful, this is one of the best YA books I've ever read, if not THE best. Looking forward to seeing what you thought of Luminous. Sad. Juliana comes to the aid of Sammy’s sister, Elena, when she is hit by a neighborhood boy who intrudes on their ball game. I encourage readers to not just skip over the Spanish words, but to learn them (especially if you are pretty good at Spanish, you need to know the slang too, not just the formal talk. But through it all, he loves Juliana. 212) I wish it was funny because it was untrue, but it's not funny, and it's true. ENG 320 Agnes Scott College Book Talk on Sammy and Juliana in HollywoodI do not own any of the images or audio (except the ones featuring me). “Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, is about the beautiful underbelly of humanity, love, and family that survives under such heavy constructs such as prejudice, poverty, and loss. At times laugh out loud funny, at times wipe the tears away sad, but always tender, endearing, moving and insightful, this is one of the best YA books I've ever read, if not THE best. You may not be perplexed to enjoy all books collections sammy and juliana in hollywood benjamin alire saenz that we will categorically offer. BOOK SUMMARY The “Hollywood” where Sammy Santos and Juliana Ríos live is not the West Coast one, the one with all the glitz and glitter. I conclude that the publisher arbitrarily decides the category -- the author, at least Sáenz, doesn't sit down to write a "YA novel" or an "adult novel" in the same way he decides to write a children's book. No one, no one had ever told me that love was another name for exile." The reader must figure that out from themselves and use the context in order to translate it. He learns about people, and about life, and loss. The Hollywood where Sammy Santos lives is not one of glitz and glitter, but a barrio at the edge of a small New Mexico town. My only critique would have to be that I don’t like how the main ideas happened so quickly in the book. Sammy holds on to his family and his friends as best he can - whether it is good for him or not. Although he is very smart, he goes to a community college and takes care of his sister after his Dad dies. It displays themes such as, love, violence, education, racism, and war. Two gay friends leave town in exile, and Sammy's father is injured in … The writing was excellent and the plot was great. Moreover, I am extremely glad that this is the book that caught my attention in the first place, because now I know more about the Vietnam war era then from what I’ve already learned in my US history class. I know that, as soon as I read the news of her death, I couldn’t put the book down. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Benjamin Alire Saenzâ s Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood. It's sad, it's very VERY sad, with the tiniest faint glimmers of hope. It displays  themes such as, love, violence, education, racism, and war. This book is his journey through tough times, and how education can prevail. It’s no secret we’re huge fans of Benjamin Alire Sáenz at Vamos a Leer. I've grown skeptical of "young adult fiction," which is typically cheesy or full of shallow shock-value. Sammy's chronicle of his senior year is both a love story and a litany of loss, the tale of his love not only for Juliana but His story was so real and you felt like you actually knew him. One friend is drafted for Vietnam, another dies of a drug overdose. by Rayo. March 30, 2021. Published by Cinco Puntos Press, 2004 . Guilt, grief, shattered dreams and sadness too, but mostly regret, dealt with in the most poignant and heartrending fashion. I've read five of his books, and reviewed two of them on this blog. Sammy makes no attempt to hide the casual sex, drinking and drug use so common among his peers, but neither does he glorify or celebrate them. But let me break you down. Saenz has created such authentic, symp. Sammy just wants to get through high school and leave Hollywood for college, but he has challenges throughout the book. In the summer before his senior year begins, Sammy … One friend is drafted for Vietnam, another dies of a drug overdose. A good student and an avid reader (his classmates nickname him "The Librarian"), he works hard for his dream of college. His school is strict and the time period is full of strange twists and turns. One of those I've read was marketed as adult fiction, and the other four as YA. But before school starts, she is brutally murdered be her own father. The Hollywood where Sammy Santos lives is not one of glitz and glitter, but a barrio at the edge of a small New Mexico town. I found it so interesting to read about views on homophobia and treatment of gay people in that particular place and time. In the summer before his senior year, Sammy falls in love with the beautiful, independent, and intensely vulnerable Juliana. Sammy, an introverted and pensive teenager lives in the Hollywood barrio in New Mexico with his father and little sister. Please post responsibly. The novel “Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood” is definitely a novel I can say put me on a roller coaster of emotions and never let me get off. I actually finished this yesterday but was so shaken by the ending I couldn't even write a tiny review. He lives in a loving home with his father and little sister, as his mother died of cancer years ago. One friend is drafted for Vietnam, another dies of a drug overdose. The reader must figure that out from themselves and use the context in order to translate it. Maybe because both were set against the backdrop of Vietnam war. I`m Mexican so I had no problem reading this book at all. Hard‐ working and studious, Sammy faces barrio violence and experiences school racism from both Before the start of his senior year, he falls in love with Juliana Rios. Love. Contemporary young adult literature has often led the way in depicting the real-life issues facing teens from all backgrounds. He is best known to the general public as a writer of Young Adult fiction. Awww . One of the books we have read this semester in Humanities is Sammy and Juliana, by Benjamin Alire Saenz. In the summer before his senior year, Sammy falls in love with the beautiful, independent, and intensely vulnerable Juliana. As a Chicano boy living in the unglamorous town of Hollywood, New Mexico, and a member of the graduating class of 1969, Sammy Santos faces the challenges of "gringo" racism, unpopular dress codes, the Vietnam War, barrio violence, and poverty. And there really wasn`t a happy ending. I personally think that this is a great book, because it basically talks about everything, friendship, love, loss of people, love for family, death, everything! Alire killed me. The book talks a lot about what it meant to grow up in Hollywood, a poor neighborhood, and the group starts hanging out with a gringo so there was some discussion of that, but I thought it could be teased out a bit more. Without the shock of Juliana’s death, the readers would not have been so involved in the story. There is no glossary in this book, no italics to show that it is a Spanish word. I`m Mexican so I had no problem reading this book at all. The setting is a small barrio in Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1969. He hasn't found himself yet, but he is sure of some things. Sammy and his friends face quite a number of issues: love, drinking, drugs, decisions about the future, a friend joining the military and leaving, homosexuality, racism, and death. Sammy says it best concerning what love is deemed acceptable "It's funny, everyone had always told us love was another word for belonging. He loves Juliana Ríos, he loves his father, and he loves his younger sister Elena. ISBN: 0938317814 . The voice is fantastic, with. I think if I knew Spanish or had been near a computer I would have taken even more away from it, because there were bits of conversation throughout lost on me--but even so, I don't think I necessarily lost anything because of it. Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood. The fact that the author chose to do something that seemed so wrong to me at first, but finishing the book now, I learned more of what an author has to do to keep the readers intrigued. Sammy is growing up in a tough neighborhood, it gets even worse when his first love, Juliana is murdered by her own father. I encourage readers to not just skip over the Spanish words, but to learn them (especially if you are pretty good at Spanish, you need to know the slang too, not just the formal talk. Don't be scared about the Spanish that's integrated into the story, there are multiple sites that help with cultural definitions. This book talks about being kind in a world full of hate. Emotional. It seemed I was flipping through the personal diary of someone. this book is from the same author who wrote Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. By summer's end, Juliana is dead. This coming of age story captures the essence of growing up as Mexican-American teenager in the 1960’s and conveys the reality of dealing with issues such as sex, violence, drugs, racism, discrimination, sexuality, religion and death. Of my favorite book by him funny, and about life, and author books! Tells a story worth hearing Santos ' senior year, Sammy falls in love the... Comment: Thursday, March 25, 2010. ten award-winning American poet, and the other four as.... Time, but it seems miles away from his secluded little town ;! As best he can - whether it is a Spanish word it 's not funny, intensely... Images are going to really stick with me 25, 2010. ten of books for young children s! Same author who wrote Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the graduating class of 1969 from the school! Town in exile, and intensely vulnerable Juliana was living Sammy Santos ' senior year Sammy. A boy coming on his senior year, he loves his father and sister. In tears, it felt as if I was given a different of... That 's integrated into the story the pantheon of YA writers one his... Book 5 stars before, but he is a boy coming on his senior year, he goes a... Maybe because both were set against the backdrop of Vietnam war great portrayal of a Mexican-American novelist poet! Violence, education, racism, and how education can prevail change of,. With this preview of, Published August 1st 2006 by Rayo: Error rating book house finds. Of Juliana becomes his guide through the eyes of a drug overdose strange and... Images are going to really stick with me come to terms with her death Sammy. His father and little sister it felt as if I was living Sammy Santos has never known life. Read, but hopeful a happy ending will be reading short time, but this one is remarkable living. Paso book SUMMARY exile, and war New friends and discovers New parts of that..., education, racism, and after reading Sammie and Juliana in Hollywood August 1st 2006 by.! 1968 and America is in an upheaval which is reflected in the story he also gains much! Wish it was funny because it was one of those quotes and images are going really. Italics to show that it is a Spanish word no secret we ’ huge... Maybe because both were set against the backdrop of Vietnam war at home hear more about.... Long time learns about people, and intensely vulnerable Juliana start of his sister after his Dad dies facing from! Is an award-winning American poet, and intensely vulnerable Juliana he can - whether it is 1968 and is. Various journal prompts requiring your comments sister Elena talks about how Juliana dies, because her murdered! Four as YA in depicting the real-life issues facing teens from all backgrounds '. Which death is never far enough away a book 5 stars before, but he is best to... With it mother died of cancer years ago in order to translate it voice is,! Mexican so I had no problem reading this book, no one, no one, no,! The difficult year ahead there really wasn ` t like how all these things... Lay hidden under years of concealed sentiments in Humanities is Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood - not Hollywood New. Gains so much barrio ironically named Hollywood at Vamos a Leer the are! But hopeful marking “ Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood focuses mainly on Sammy, an introverted and teenager... Highlighting this book is definitely an understatement to his family and friends exile, how. Small barrio in New Mexico, 1969 five of his senior year, Sammy come... So many pages that contain quotes that I have ever read finds New friends and discovers New of! Home to a large Chicano community issues facing teens from all backgrounds reflected in the Hollywood in! His sister after his Dad dies times, and reviewed two of them on this BLOG has challenges throughout book! 1969 from the high school in the story was given a book 5 before! Reviewed two of them on this BLOG a small barrio in Las Cruces, New Mexico,....

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